How much does gorilla trekking really cost?
Gorilla trekking, one of the most sought-after African safari activities, can cost anywhere from USD 1,500 per person for budget or basic lodging to USD 5,000 or more for luxury accommodation. The main costs incurred for a gorilla safari include gorilla trekking permits, guide fees, accommodation, meals, and transportation. Optional costs include porters and tips.
Factors like where you go for gorilla trekking (Uganda vs Rwanda, group arrangement (not group joining) vs private tour, and the level of accommodation you are opting for. Our Uganda and Rwanda safari packages are inclusive of all these, with different accommodation options given for your choosing.
Cost breakdown
Oftentimes travelers opt for arranged tours, or a whole package from a reputable tour operator like Focus East Africa Tours. With this, typically you have a driver-guide who welcomes you at the airport upon arrival, transfers you to the parks for your gorilla safari, and is with you throughout the duration of your booked safari.
Gorilla trekking starts very early in the morning, and as such you’ll need accommodation near your chosen sector of trek. It is highly recommended that you arrive a day before the trek and also spend the next night after trekking to rest.
This is especially true for Uganda gorilla safaris. Most accommodation offers full board, and as such your meals are sorted. The accommodation options range from budget, mid-range, lower luxury, and luxury. These are all available for your preview and choosing.
Much as the gorilla trekking permit includes fees for the rangers, tipping is highly recommended and appreciated. You also may find the need to hire a porter to help you during the trek as well. These fees range from $10-20 per person to hire, and plan to tip them as well.
Rwanda gorilla trekking costs
A Rwanda gorilla tracking permit price alone is 1,500USD for foreign non-residents. There are about 96 gorilla tracking permits available per day in Rwanda. Permits are available for purchase up to 2 years in advance to secure your permits.
Rwanda as a destination is sold as a high-end gorilla safari destination, which is especially seen in the high price of the gorilla permit alone. Most of the accommodation in Rwanda is also high-end, with some of the best international brands setting foot in the slopes of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Typical accommodation ranges in Volcanoes National Park are;
Budget accommodation: 40-75USD per person per night on full board, sharing a room
Mid-range accommodation: 120-250USD per person sharing per night on full board.
Luxury accommodation: 350-3000USD per person sharing per night on full board.
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is only about a 2-3 hour drive from Kigali City. This makes it much easier to access for gorilla trekking as compared to Uganda, which is about 9hours by drive from Entebbe to Bwindi. Because of the proximity of the park, even a 1-Day Rwanda gorilla safari is possible.
A 1-day Rwanda gorilla safari with lunch included is $1,750 per person for 2 people on a safari. A 2-Day Rwanda gorilla safari can start from $1,990 per person sharing, while a 3 day option can be $2,530 per person sharing for a mid-range gorilla trekking safari. The gorilla safaris include 1 gorilla permit per person, private 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel, English-speaking guide, en-route lunch and accommodation for the multi-day trips.
Uganda gorilla trekking costs
A Uganda gorilla trekking permit is 800USD per person per trek. Travelers interested in spending more time with the gorillas can opt for gorilla habituation: a gorilla habituation permit is 1,800USD effective 1st January 2027.
With about 23 habituated gorilla families in Uganda across the 4 sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and only 1 in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Though there are many gorilla families in Uganda, booking a gorilla permit is advised at least 3 months in advance; you can book gorilla permits even 2 years in advance.
Uganda gorilla accommodation options are more numerous compared to Rwanda, with more budget and mid-range options available for choosing. There are a considerable number of luxury accommodations in Bwindi, like Bwindi Lodge and Nkuringo Lodge, among others.
Typically, accommodation prices in Uganda for gorilla trekking are as follows:
Budget accommodation: $50-75 per person sharing per night
Mid-range accommodation: $100-180 per person sharing per night
Luxury accommodation: $300-2000 per person sharing per night.
A 3-day Bwindi gorilla safari can be as low as $1,430 per person sharing. This price includes a gorilla trekking permit, private transport, a safari guide, accommodation and meals.
Although the gorilla permit price is nonnegotiable, it is very much possible to minimize costs for your gorilla safari. Travel in groups of 2 or more, opt for more affordable accommodation options, and if up for it, choose to travel in April, May and November in Uganda to enjoy the low-season gorilla trekking permits.
Get in touch with us to plan for you an unforgettable Africa gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda.
